Reported by Howard Kerry Mwesigwa
Samuel Odonga Otto, a former MP and environmentalist from Aruu County, has been questioned over possible charges of aggravated robbery and theft of charcoal. He reportedly turned himself in to the Aswa River Region police headquarters in Gulu city and was released on police bond after giving his statement. The charges stem from allegations that Otto and a group of vigilantes injured three charcoal businessmen, looted their money approximately 1.1 million and vandalized their vehicle in Atanga sub-county, Pader district in northern Uganda.
According to Otto’s lawyer, the charges are baseless and meant to intimidate him because he is implementing a government ban on commercial production and trade of charcoal in the Acholi sub-region. The former MP denies the allegations and plans to file a petition with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, urging them to charge the three complainants who have openly admitted to being involved in the commercial charcoal business.
The production and trade of charcoal have had a significant impact on the environment in the Acholi sub-region, with the depletion of natural tree cover raising concerns among environmentalists. Otto is known for his environmental activism and has been vocal about the negative effects of the commercial charcoal business on the region’s environment.
